Where should I go and what should I do in Palm Springs?
Desert Modernism Perfected — Iconic mid-century estates and architecture define the landscape. Tour the legendary homes in the Movie Colony or stay at ultra-luxury resorts like The Ritz-Carlton or Rosewood Miramontes.
Championship Golf Redefined — Play world-class courses at PGA West, Whistling Straits-style desert layouts, and exclusive private clubs. The fairways rival anything in Scottsdale.
Spa & Wellness Sanctuary — Natural hot springs and mineral-rich spas like Two Bunch Palms and The Spa at Parker Palm Springs offer total rejuvenation in a serene desert setting.
Fine Dining & Mixology Excellence — Sophisticated farm-to-table dining at spots like Norbert's or craft cocktails at The Ritz-Carlton's signature bars put Palm Springs on the culinary map.
Arts, Culture & Entertainment — The Palm Springs Art Museum, world-class film festivals, and vibrant downtown galleries blend high culture with desert sophistication for the cultured traveler.
When should I go to Palm Springs?
October–November — Perfect weather and fewer crowds
February–April — Peak season, ideal temperatures, events and festivals peak
What do I need to know for a trip to Palm Springs?
Arrange car rental or private car service (walking is limited; driving essential)
Expect 2-hour drive from Los Angeles airports if flying LAX/Burbank
Pack comfortable walking shoes for art galleries and downtown Palm Springs
Book sunset spa treatments mid-week for shorter wait times and exclusive slots
Arrange tee times through concierge, preferably ahead of time; walk-ups are a risk, especially during peak season
Thompson Palm Springs offers a captivating blend of desert tranquility and modern luxury, nestled against the majestic backdrop of the San Jacinto Mountains in Southern California.
A Conde Nast Traveler Gold List winner, The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage boasts a stunning location above Palm Springs. Home to the exclusive Avanyu Spa...
A true oasis, located in the middle of California's picturesque Palm Springs, the enticing OmniRancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa offers luxury and style, with all the modern amenities you could imagine...
Nestled in Greater Palm Springs, Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa offers a variety of world-class accommodations, total wellness services and outdoor recreation.
Set against the backdrop of the Santa Rosa Mountains, California's timeless La Quinta Resort & Club offers a fresh, new take on the lackluster club vacation...
Rising like a Phoenix from the desert floor is The Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa, a Starwood Resort property, located in stylish Rancho Mirage near Palm Springs...
Bathed in the light and warmth of the balmy California sun, Palm Desert's Miramonte Resort & Spa offers the often sought California desert getaway with a luxurious twist...
The Best of Palm Springs: Desert Design, Mineral Springs, and California Luxury
Palm Springs has the largest concentration of mid-century modern architecture in the world, and the city knows exactly what it has. You'll find over 3,000 buildings designed by architects like Richard Neutra and William Pereira, which makes this desert town something worth seeking out.
Every February, Modernism Week brings design obsessives from around the world for tours inside estates that rarely open their doors the rest of the year. The best luxury resorts in Palm Springs are built around this legacy, pairing design credentials with wellness infrastructure in a way that few destinations can match.
Beneath all of it, quite literally, is what drew people here long before the architects arrived. Natural hot springs run under the Coachella Valley, and the mineral spring resorts built above them have developed a spa culture that rivals any in Europe.
Above all, what Palm Springs offers a well-traveled guest is specificity. The architecture is clearly identifiable, the springs are all-natural, and the desert light that falls across both of them in the late afternoon belongs entirely to this place.